Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Partner operating in the Professional Services space. If you think a Partner is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
James Gregson
Partner, Strategy & Operations Consulting of Deloitte
James leads Deloitte’s Life Sciences Consulting practice in the UK and is a member of their Life Sciences Supply Chain Team. James has extensive experience of complex Procurement Transformation, Supply Chain Strategy, Cost Reduction, Operating Model Optimisation, Outsourcing, Global Business Services, and Technology Implementation working with some of the largest global pharmaceutical businesses and across many other sectors. Over the course of his 20+ year career James has been a leader in Industry, Consulting and Outsourcing, and as well as his procurement heritage has significant Supply Chain and Operational Transformation experience.
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Scott Campbell
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte, Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Punit Bhatia
Partner of Deloitte
Punit Bhatia is a Partner at Deloitte and leads their Shared Services, BPO and Global Business Services practice. Punit is a specialist in this area with 18 years of consulting experience gained in a number of different industries including Energy, Consumer Goods and Financial Services. In the last few years, Punit has led some of the largest and most complex Global Business Services, Shared Services and BPO engagements in the industry. His experience spans the full life cycle from developing strategy , designing solutions, and implementing them. He has been recognised by clients as bringing a thoughtful approach that focussed on long term value for all stakeholders. Punit’s work in the Shared Services and Outsourcing industry has included Business Processes as well as IT.
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Gurpreet Johal
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Dan McNamara
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
James O’Riordan
Senior Partner and UK Financial Services Leader of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Alexander Lakhanpal
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
David Rush
Partner specialising in Financial Services, in particular Insurance of Deloitte
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About Deloitte, Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Rick Cudworth
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Marian Bloodworth
Partner, Employment of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Richard Coombes
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Richard Coombes
Partner of Deloitte
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About Deloitte: Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and other related services.
Amanda Pilkington
Partner of DLA Piper
Amanda Pilkington is a partner in DLA Piper’s telecoms practice having joined the firm in 2005. She regularly advises telecoms operators on both regulatory and contracting issues. She has worked on some of the largest network outsourcing agreements in the UK and Europe. Her diverse experience includes advising international telecoms providers on terrestrial and subsea cable infrastructure projects; MVNO arrangements; and cable capacity agreements. She also regularly advising supplier and customer on managed services arrangements with a particularly focus on new technologies.
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About DLA Piper: DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries to helps clients with their legal needs around the world.
Bryony Widdup
Partner of DLA Piper
Bryony Widdup has over ten years’ experience in the financial markets sector and has spent time working in-house at a major European bank as well as in private practice. Bryony has lived and worked in London and the Cayman Islands. She has experience in fund finance, securitisation and leveraged debt, international lending platforms, crowdfunding and token based fundraising activities. She has particular expertise with financing aspects of offshore fund and issuer structures and managed accounts.
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About DLA Piper: DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries to helps clients with their legal needs around the world.
Martin Bartlam
Partner, specialising in Structured Finance and Securities and Global Co-chair Fintech of DLA Piper
Martin Bartlam is the International Group Head of Finance and Projects at DLA Piper. He advises on international structured deals and in particular the application of FinTech and new financing techniques to businesses, including, ICO’s, securitisation, capital markets products and derivatives. Martin Bartlam is recognised as one of the world’s leading FinTech lawyers applying technology solutions to traditional funding structures. Martin is at the forefront of alternative investment strategies and products including applying new financing techniques to suit the development of smart infrastructure and real estate development. Martin has helped clients to build and fund many new platforms involving digital solutions for real estate infrastructure, in the UK and cross-border. Martin is advising a number of businesses on Initial Coin Offerings and related financial structures including addressing regulatory and practical issues in raising funding and issuing tokens and presents a masterclass on blockchain and ICO issues and has presented to industry bodies such as the LMA, UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies, Insurance industry groups, the Global ABS conference and at various other finance industry events.
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About DLA Piper: DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries to helps clients with their legal needs around the world.
Alan Cunningham
Partner of DLA Piper
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About DLA Piper: DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries to helps clients with their legal needs around the world.
Ian Meadows
Associate Partner of Ernst & Young
Ian Meadows is an Associate Partner in Insurance at EY based in London. Ian leads Specialty Insurance Technology and is a director of the Insurwave Joint Venture. His current focus is to support the modernisation efforts across London and into international markets.
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About Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Mark Brockway
Corporate Finance Associate Partner of Ernst & Young
Mark Brockway served as Finance Director at BWB Consulting Ltd.Brockway served as a Senior Member of Corporate Finance Team at Corven Group. He served at Grant Thornton Corporate Finance, LLC, KPMG Corporate Finance, and BDO Stoy Hayward Corporate Finance. Brockway serves as a Director of Ernst & Young LLP.
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About Ernst & Young, Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Laurence Buchanan
Partner of Ernst & Young
Laurence is a Partner within EY’s Advisory business and leads Digital for the EMEIA region. He works with clients to help them understand and respond to the opportunities and threats posed by disruptive technology. He has worked across a wide variety of industry sectors and client projects including: – Launching the British & Irish Lions fan app – Interim head of CRM & Digital Marketing / Sales / Service for a FTSE-100 UK Telco / Media company, helping to launch a digital start-up streaming movies business – Customer experience design and multi channel strategy for a global pharma company, a global luxury Retailer and a Russian Consumer Electronics Retailer – Social Media analytics and target operating model design for a global Automotive company, a UAE-based conglomerate and a global pharma company – B2B sales force effectiveness for an Australian Consumer Products / Pharma company and a FTSE 100 software company – Customer experience design and digital strategy for a UAE central government department – Digital Entrepreneurship policy framework for the European Commission Laurence’ credentials speak for themselves. With a decade of experience at SAP, where he was EMEA Vice President for CRM and 8 years in Consulting, he is a recognised authority and evangelist on Digital Transformation, Customer Experience and CRM.
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About Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Jacqueline Kernot
Partner of Ernst & Young
Jacqui is a senior Cyber Security, and Risk Management professional with over 20 years experience in consulting, startup and MSP management. Jacqui has just left Telstra where she grew and managed a $150M+ security services business. She won several large contracts between $10 – $50M during her four years there, and built the business across geographies from much lower revenues. Jacqui has dealt with government, federal government, enterprise, carrier and FSI clients within Australia and the UK. She has excellent relationships with C level executives in risk and security across both countries. Jacqui is regularly asked to present on cyber and risk at various conferences globally and in Australia. During SIBOS this year she was asked to join the debate to speak on whether a cyber 9/11 was imminent, with other experts from several countries. She has completed several podcasts and articles on security and risk and is regularly quoted in the media on both security and risk and diversity and inclusion, subjects she is passionate about. Jacqui is a former Intelligence officer with the ADF, and has completed Special Forces Planning, NATO engagement and Information Operations, as well as technical courses required for rank including ROAC. Her roles included support to 6 Brigade, 1 Commando Regiment, SOCOM and the 1st Intelligence Battalion.
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About Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Richard Goold
Partner, Head of Fast Growth (UK & Ireland) & Global Head of Tech Sector – Law of Ernst & Young
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About Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Andy Baldwin
EMEIA Area Managing Partner of Ernst & Young
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About Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Andy Ross
Partner of MXC Capital
Andy has over 35 years of experience in the IT industry and has previously held Chief Executive Officer roles at Northgate Managed Services and Valldata, as well as senior director roles at Atos, EDS, Sema Group and KPMG.
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About CORETX, MXC Capital: MXC Capital is an investment and advisory group specializing in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
Marc Young
Partner of MXC Capital
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About MXC Capital, Toca.io: MXC Capital is an investment and advisory group specializing in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
Ashley Steel
Partner of KPMG International Limited
Ashley Steel is a former Vice Chairman at KPMG and was Global Chair for its transport, leisure and logistics practice until her retirement from the firm in September 2014. Ashley Steel has significant international experience and has advised numerous FTSE and Fortune 500 boards. Her other sector experience includes professional services, technology, media, business services and healthcare. Ashley Steel is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Authority and serves on the International Business Advisory Board at British Airways. She is also Special Adviser to a global aviation technology company owned by Warburg Pincus and an Independent Non-Executive Director to global law firm, Ince & Co. Ashley has a PhD in Management from Henley Business School.
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About KPMG International Limited: KPMG is a network of independent member firms offering audit, tax and advisory services.
Joe Cassidy
Partner of KPMG International Limited
Joe Cassidy is the Partner at KPMG
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About KPMG International Limited: KPMG is a network of independent member firms offering audit, tax and advisory services.
Murray Raisbeck
Partner of KPMG International Limited
Murray is a Partner within KPMG’s FS practice. He has extensive FS audit and advisory experience. An auditor by background, Murray joined KPMG in 1999 and became a partner in 2011. Murray works with global financial services clients in the insurance, asset management and wealth management industries. As a result of all of the change underway in the sector Murray has been involved in working with clients that are dealing with evolving financial regulation (Solvency II and RDR being examples), changing technology (move to cloud based solutions and telematics being examples), societal changes (demands of an ageing population being an example), and more recently the impact of political risk on firms within the sector (recent pension reforms being an example). One current area of focus for Murray is the UK Motor insurance market. Murray is the audit partner for three of the UK’s market leading motor insurers and leading ‘usage based insurance’ (UBI) businesses. He is also frequently involved in discussions with industry bodies and a variety of firms developing their UBI strategy. He frequently comments on UBI developments in the press. Murray’s advisory experience includes finance change and regulatory programmes, Sarbanes Oxley implementation projects, accounting advice on group reconstructions, Part VII transfers, and a variety of transactions. His transaction experience includes ‘buy-side’ deal evaluation, due diligence, transaction regulatory and accounting support, IPO readiness services and synergies work.
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About KPMG International Limited: KPMG is a network of independent member firms offering audit, tax and advisory services.
Stephen Rosen
Partner of Cooley
Stephen Rosen is a partner in our London office. Stephen’s experience is in acting for high growth companies, investors, entrepreneurs and management teams on corporate transactions with particular expertise on company sales and purchases, mergers and acquisitions and private equity and venture capital financings across a range of industry sectors. Stephen also regularly acts for spin outs, VC funded companies and well known investors in the life sciences sector. Clients have said that Stephen is “incredibly smart and switched on” and “can be tough when required but is also calm and fair” and “he stands out for his tenacity and ability to deliver practical solutions when problems arise.” Further comments include “Stephen was acting on the other side to us and we were so impressed we asked him to help us on our next deal.” Stephen is recognised by UK Chambers & Partners in its Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market; Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment; and Life Sciences: Transactional categories. Sources comment on his “well-calibrated” advice and “very user-friendly and commercial” approach. Prior to joining Cooley in 2016, Stephen was at Olswang where he was previously Head of Corporate, London and Head of Private Equity and Venture Capital and a partner for 14 years.
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About Cooley: Cooley is a legal services company that solves legal issues for entrepreneurs, investors, and established companies.
Stephen Rosen
Partner of Cooley
Stephen Rosen is a partner in our London office. Stephen’s experience is in acting for high growth companies, investors, entrepreneurs and management teams on corporate transactions with particular expertise on company sales and purchases, mergers and acquisitions and private equity and venture capital financings across a range of industry sectors. Stephen also regularly acts for spin outs, VC funded companies and well known investors in the life sciences sector. Clients have said that Stephen is “incredibly smart and switched on” and “can be tough when required but is also calm and fair” and “he stands out for his tenacity and ability to deliver practical solutions when problems arise.” Further comments include “Stephen was acting on the other side to us and we were so impressed we asked him to help us on our next deal.” Stephen is recognised by UK Chambers & Partners in its Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market; Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment; and Life Sciences: Transactional categories. Sources comment on his “well-calibrated” advice and “very user-friendly and commercial” approach. Prior to joining Cooley in 2016, Stephen was at Olswang where he was previously Head of Corporate, London and Head of Private Equity and Venture Capital and a partner for 14 years.
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About Cooley: Cooley is a legal services company that solves legal issues for entrepreneurs, investors, and established companies.
Mark Kukolus
Founder & Managing Partner of BICPM
Founder & Managing Partner
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About BICPM: Business Intelligence & Corporate Performance Management
Julia Onslow-Cole
Partner, Global Government strategies and Compliance of Fragomen
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About Fragomen: Fragomen is a firm dedicated exclusively to immigration services worldwide.
Graham Breen
Business Development and Partnerships of Innoactive
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About Innoactive: Innoactive empower global teams with collaborative VR/AR enterprise software.
Shruti Ajitsaria
Partner and Head of Fuse of Allen & Overy
Shruti is Partner and the Head of Fuse, Allen & Overy’s tech innovation space which opened in September 2017. Prior to launching Fuse, Shruti was a Counsel in the Derivatives and Structured Finance group based in London, specialising in credit derivatives (involving drafting almost all of the standard documentation in this area over the last decade). Shruti is now the first person to have directly been promoted to partner into A&O’s Advanced Delivery offering and is on A&O’s i2 panel and Advanced Delivery Board (tasked with authorising funding for pilots and larger projects, respectively). Outside of Allen & Overy, Shruti has three children (aged 9, 7, and 3) and used her most recent maternity leave to undertake the FT Diploma in Non-Executive Directorships and a 3 month course for entrepreneurs at Google Campus, as well as being selected to partake in the Judicial Support Scheme (aimed at increasing diversity in the judiciary). She is a governor at the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Schools in Elstree, a member of the Fundraising Committee of Noah’s Ark Hospice and a TEDx speaker. She also manages a sector-agnostic portfolio of private investments and appeared on BBC 2’s “Million Pound Menu” as a restaurant investor.
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About Allen & Overy: Allen & Overy is an international law firm providing legal services for global business and industry.
Thomas Jameson
Partner of CMS
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About CMS: CMS is a commercial law firm that provides clients with advice in a wide range of law and tax matters.
Brian Sher
Partner, Co-head of Competition and Trade, UK of CMS
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About CMS: CMS is a commercial law firm that provides clients with advice in a wide range of law and tax matters.
Gary Green
Corporate Partner & Head of Global Equity Capital Markets of CMS
Gary Green is a Corporate partner and Head of Equity Capital Markets. He has extensive experience of a wide range of corporate law matters including corporate finance, domestic and cross-border M&A, restructurings and joint ventures and has often been involved in the largest and most complex transactions. Gary advises a large number of quoted companies both on the main market and on AIM. Gary also advises unquoted companies on a variety of corporate transactions. He has advised many of these companies over a long period and is regarded as a trusted business adviser. Gary is recommended in legal directory Chambers for M&A and in Legal 500 for IPOs and equity capital markets.
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About CMS: CMS is a commercial law firm that provides clients with advice in a wide range of law and tax matters.
Paul Taffinder
Founder & Managing Partner of Taffinder Consulting
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About Taffinder Consulting: Taffinder Consulting provides advisory consulting services in strategy, leadership, digital innovation, and organizational performance.
Jeremy Robinson
Partner of Harcus Parker
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About Harcus Parker: Harcus Parker is a litigation firm that specializes in bringing group action cases on behalf of large numbers of individuals or companies.
